This article is not specifically or exclusively about leaders, leading or leadership. It’s about two powerful words that I recently realized are more accurate descriptions of men and women who do great things and who help other people do great things.
Please read on:
“To accomplish excellence or anything outstanding, you must listen to that whisper which is heard by you alone.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
You’re a “leader.” “No I’m not” my friend replied.
I’ll get to the rest of this conversation in a minute.
“Leader.” This word made my friend uncomfortable. I could see it in the way his eyes and his stance were diverted and redirected away from me. He seemed to be embarrassed.
It was the word “leader” that roused up intense emotion and distracted him from what we were talking about. A simple word with a powerful and intimidating meaning.
Three of my humble observations:
1 – To most humans, the word “Leader” can be intimidating and awe-inspiring at the same time. When people hear the word “leader” their mind’s eye usually downloads images of Mother Theresa, John F. Kennedy, Steve Jobs, Susan Wojcicki, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Golda Meir and so many other great leaders.
2 – There are thousands of definitions, descriptions and opinions of what a leader is or should be. I like to keep things simple so here’s my definition of what I perceive a leader to be.
“A leader can be your supervisor at work or the colleague who sits next to you in your office. A leader, not only makes things happen, they empower and motivate other people to achieve and make things happen. A leader makes certain that his/her people are physically and mentally out of harm’s way. Leaders are always teaching and helping their people become stronger and feeling more valued. A leader ensures that hers/his people are always challenged and inspired and a leader is humble enough to step up and bring out the best in people.”
This was my definition before the conversation with my friend.
3 – I want to modify the definition in observation #2 with two words. As I explained to my friend why I thought he was a leader, these two words came to mind before any of the definitions in observation #2 kicked in.
The Two Words: “Stand Alone”
“There are times when our conscience demands that we must stand alone against all odds… armed only with our courage and faith.”author unknown
As my friend was speaking with me I got the feeling he needed to talk out loud and figure out what really happened to him more than share the story with me.
He went on to tell me his story. It was a long story so I’ll summarize it. In a town where he has his business, an 8 year-old girl that he knew fell deathly ill and her family needed substantial money to get her the medical attention that would save her life. She was an undocumented immigrant.
My friend decided to do something to help and he organized and pulled together all the people in his town plus the neighboring towns. They raised enough money to help this little girl. He even persuaded the doctors to donate their services wherever they could.
He said “I don’t know how I did it.” “You’re a leader” I replied. “No I’m not” as he humbly continued to deny it. “OK, you’re not a leader, then you have the grit to “Stand Alone” and make things happen.”
He stopped and slowly raised his eyes and locked them on mine. His posture and his voice changed. A new confidence emerged and he assertively answered “That’s exactly what I did. That I’m good at. I’ve got the nerve to stand alone if and when I have to.”
I didn’t want to devalue his new found recognition and perspective on who he was so I kept my mouth shut and just silently thought to myself “Maybe you’re right. You’re not just a leader, maybe you’re something more powerful.”
The world needs humans that have the courage to “Stand Alone.”
Being confident, comfortable and secure in being able to “Stand Alone” is enormously powerful and invigorating.
“Stand Alones” have the courage to “stand up and go it alone” if and when they have to. The one extra “chromosome” that they have gives the “Stand Alones” that spectacular edge over anyone they come in contact with or invariably come up against.
A “Stand Alone” has the fortitude and know how to stand firm when everyone around them is losing it. They have the strength to remain upright when everyone and everything around them is collapsing and is unsettled.
To “Stand Alone” is not to only go it alone. To “Stand Alone” is also to push and pull with everyone and make sure they all make it to the other side.
To“Stand Alone” is to be the one that turns off the lights and the last one to say goodnight, but most important of all, it’s the one who has the courage, endurance and strength of character to be the one standing guard, eyes wide open… alone if need be.
Are you a leader or want to be a leader? Are you sure about that? Maybe it’s time to rethink the answer to that question.
Being a “Stand Alone” is so much bigger and so much more powerful.
Good Luck. Stay safe out there. Never give up on your dreams. Never.
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
Nearly everyone, whether they support, or oppose, the policies, etc, of President Donald Trump, realize and recognize, we have never witnessed, any previous occupant of the office, who used the rhetoric, he has consistently articulated! While some either agree, or object, to specific words, or the tone of his message, what might be, more significant, etc, is the overall, and specific impacts, of what he says. Fact – checkers state, Mr. Trump, has either lied, or articulated major misstatements, an average of over 5 times, per day, since his election, and, like, the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, eventually, even if he's truthful, many won believe him, etc. With this in mind, this article will attempt to briefly. review and consider, 5 examples, of why, the words of a prominent elected official, matter.
1. Within US: Although we have gone over half a century, since major civil rights legislation, was enacted, in the United States, it seems to many, Mr. Trump's reference to Make America Great Again , may be a subliminal message, to appeal to those, who want to go back, to the past, when certain American freedoms, might not have existed. Whether he truly is, or not, many perceive this President, to be either racist, or possess numerous biases and prejudices! Shouldn't the goal and objective, of our President, to bring Americans together, rather than be a polarizing influence?
2. International / foreign perception: The United States has always prided itself, on serving as the moral and ethical example, for the rest of the world! Today, it seems, that's no longer the case, and when I have traveled, internationally, in the past year, citizens of foreign nations, question, what's happened to us. The level of Mr. Trump's rhetoric, vitriol, threats and adversarial style, appear to be hurting the reputation and image of this nation!
3. Have we earned the right to maintain others' respect ?: Being respected by other nations, is an essential consideration, if we hope to create more cooperation, and / or consensus, for the better! This President's negative statements, regarding agreements, such as NAFTA, and the Paris Accords, has indicated, we are willing to defer, from any leadership position, around the world. While no one can be certain, doesn't it seem, when Trump taunts, the President of North Korea, makes contrary statements regarding the Middle East, Iran, Pakistan, etc, things may not turn out, well?
4. Solutions, versus bravado / blaming and complaining: It seems every time, President Trump is, or feels challenged, he resorts to blaming, complaining, or exhibiting bravado ! We need leadership, which focuses on genuine needs, goals and objectives, and expends his energy, towards creating and developing viable solutions!
5. Working with Congress: We are experiencing a level of partisan politics, unlike any, we have witnessed, in recent memories! President Trump, seems, to be unwilling, or unable, to accept, the fact, the American government, is based on Separation of Powers, with the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches, co – equal partners! The tone and vitriol of his rhetoric, seems to polarize, rather than seek quality and focus, in a cooperative manner!
Words matter, especially, when they come out of the mouth, of the President. President Trump's rhetoric and vitriol, may attract his core supporters, but, seems to turn others, off!
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
Nearly everyone, whether they support, or oppose, the policies, etc, of President Donald Trump, realize and recognize, we have never witnessed, any previous occupant of the office, who used the rhetoric, he has consistently articulated! While some either agree, or object, to specific words, or the tone of his message, what might be, more significant, etc, is the overall, and specific impacts, of what he says. Fact – checkers state, Mr. Trump, has either lied, or articulated major misstatements, an average of over 5 times, per day, since his election, and, like, the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, eventually, even if he’s truthful, many won’t believe him, etc. With this in mind, this article will attempt to briefly. review and consider, 5 examples, of why, the words of a prominent elected official, matter.
1. Within U.S.: Although we have gone over half a century, since major civil rights legislation, was enacted, in the United States, it seems to many, Mr. Trump’s reference to Make America Great Again, may be a subliminal message, to appeal to those, who want to go back, to the past, when certain American freedoms, might not have existed. Whether he truly is, or not, many perceive this President, to be either racist, or possess numerous biases and prejudices! Shouldn’t the goal and objective, of our President, to bring Americans together, rather than be a polarizing influence?
2. International/ foreign perception: The United States has always prided itself, on serving as the moral and ethical example, for the rest of the world! Today, it seems, that’s no longer the case, and when I have traveled, internationally, in the past year, citizens of foreign nations, question, what’s happened to us. The level of Mr. Trump’s rhetoric, vitriol, threats and adversarial style, appear to be hurting the reputation and image of this nation!
3. Have we earned the right to maintain others’ respect?: Being respected by other nations, is an essential consideration, if we hope to create more cooperation, and/ or consensus, for the better! This President’s negative statements, regarding agreements, such as NAFTA, and the Paris Accords, has indicated, we are willing to defer, from any leadership position, around the world. While no one can be certain, doesn’t it seem, when Trump taunts, the President of North Korea, makes contrary statements regarding the Middle East, Iran, Pakistan, etc, things may not turn out, well?
4. Solutions, versus bravado/ blaming and complaining: It seems every time, President Trump is, or feels challenged, he resorts to blaming, complaining, or exhibiting bravado! We need leadership, which focuses on genuine needs, goals and priorities, and expends his energy, towards creating and developing viable solutions!
5. Working with Congress: We are experiencing a level of partisan politics, unlike any, we have witnessed, in recent memories! President Trump, seems, to be unwilling, or unable, to accept, the fact, the American government, is based on Separation of Powers, with the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches, co – equal partners! The tone and vitriol of his rhetoric, seems to polarize, rather than seek quality and focus, in a cooperative manner!
Words matter, especially, when they come out of the mouth, of the President. President Trump’s rhetoric and vitriol, may attract his core supporters, but, seems to turn others, off!
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari